seem like a good idea at the time
Hindsight proves foolish
Seem like a good idea at the time describes an action that appeared reasonable when undertaken but proved foolish in hindsight.
The phrase almost always appears in the past tense, offering rueful acknowledgment of a mistake: Getting matching tattoos seemed like a good idea at the time.
It functions as both explanation and mild excuse—admitting error while noting that circumstances or judgment have since changed.
- reasoningDrawing logical conclusions
- evaluationDetermining worth or quality
- choiceAct of selecting
- impulse buyUnplanned spur-of-the-moment acquisition
- deliberationCareful weighing of choices
intuition · apology · reflection · disappointment · morning after · recklessness · short-sightedness · overconfidence · bad decision · famous last words · planning · rashness · poor judgment · second-guessing · hangover · reconsideration · tattoo · consequences
seem like a good idea at the timeprudent
Exercising sound judgment
wise · sensible · sound judgment · deliberate choice · calculated risk
seem like a good idea at the timestand the test of time
Remain valued across eras
think it through · sleep on it · err on the side of caution · play it safe
seem, seems, seemed, seeming, seemingly, like, likes, liked, liking